Adjustable and Interchangeable Shoe Fastening Device and Methods of Use

ABSTRACT

An adjustable, interchangeable, and customizable shoe fastening device and its methods of use, to be used in articles of footwear designed for shoelaces, but not limited to such. The shoe fastening devices are comprised of an elongated looped cord with a removable one-piece holding device or a non-removable one-piece or two-part holding device, and an adjusting device to cater to different types of feet, footwear, and activity. The shoe fastening device offers users the ability to customize, interchange, decorate, and adjust the user&#39;s shoe fit to make it “just right.” The shoe fastening devices come as a set, package, pre-assembled kit, or a do-it-yourself kit. The shoe fastening and holding devices can be decorated with paint, nail polish, stickers, glitter, or the like, and can be easily removed, replaced or swapped with family and friends.

CROSS-REFERENCE RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent No.62/282,160 filed on Jul. 28, 2015 by the present inventor, which isincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to shoe fastening devices and its methodsof use for fastening various types of footwear that are designed forlacing.

2. Prior Art

For centuries, people of all ages have been fastening their shoes withconventional shoelaces. However, it is well known that prior artconventional shoelaces are prone to repeatedly becoming untied andrequiring retying of the laces. The constant need to tighten and retiethe shoelaces is very time consuming and can be a challenge forchildren, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities. Furthermore,conventional shoelaces might be too tight or too loose for the user,thus compromising the user's comfort, support, safety, and performance.Additionally, a user that steps on an untied or loose shoelace can falland suffer from a serious injury.

Within the past few years, prior art such as Talley U.S. Pat. No.8,677,579 and Frydlewski U.S. Pat. No. 7,506,420 have brought to marketvarious types of “no-lace” shoe lacing and shoe fastening devices as areplacement to the conventional shoelace. Shoe fastening devices such asindividual mini-laces, anchor type of laces, and other “no-lace” deviceshave gained popularity because they are viewed as a more convenientmethod of lacing shoes without having the hassle of retying theshoelaces every time they come undone. However, I have found that priorart shoelaces and shoe fastening devices do not provide the user withthe ability to customize the shoe fastening device to the user's ownpreferred shoe fit, proper fit, level of support, comfort, style andsafety. Furthermore, with the use of prior art shoelaces, the user islimited to the fit that the prior art shoelace company manufactured,without keeping in mind that users have different sizes, shapes, andtypes of feet (wide feet, narrow heel, shallow instep, narrow feet), anddo not offer the user an adjustable solution to their unique type offoot, footwear, or activity that they will partake in. Additionally,prior art shoe fastening devices lack the ability to properly adjust theshoelace to create the user's perfect shoe fit.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention can include a shoe fastening devicecomprised of an elongated elastic woven cord that is affixed together byhaving the elastic cord's first and second ends adjoined togetherthrough a knot or any other means thus forming a general loop on theelastic cord, in which an adjusting device such as a slideable bead,clamp, stopper, or the like is placed on the now looped elastic cord bythreading the elastic cord through the adjusting device's hole, orifice,slot, or slit, and placing a removable or non-removeable one-pieceholding device, button, anchor, or the like, onto the looped elasticcord by threading the elastic cord through the holding device's hole,orifice, slot, slit or the like. This embodiment of the presentinvention can fasten an article of footwear in which a shoe fasteningdevice is needed by fastening a first hole, eyelet, hook, or loop on anarticle of footwear and a second hole, eyelet, hook, or loop on anarticle of footwear. The user can then use the adjusting device to moveor slide the adjusting device up, down, left or right to adjust thetightness of the shoe fastening device by sliding the adjusting deviceup towards the holding device to tighten the lace or sliding theadjusting device towards the knot to loosen the shoe fastening device,thus making a true customizable perfect shoe fit for the footwear user'sunique style and size of foot and shoe. This allows the user to createthe perfect fitting shoe fastening device(s), by offering the user thepower to create his or her own comfortable, convenient, secure, stylish,interchangeable, adjustable, and customizable perfect fit . . . all atthe user's fingertips.

Embodiments of the present invention can also include a shoe fasteningdevice for fastening footwear comprised of an elongated elastic cordthat is affixed together by having the elastic cord's first and secondends knotted together thus forming a generalloop on the elastic cord, inwhich an adjusting device is placed on the now looped elastic cord bythreading the elastic cord through the adjusting device's hole, orifice,slot, or slit, and placing a two-piece or multiple-piece holding device,button, anchor, or the like, onto the looped elastic cord by threadingthe elastic cord through the holding device's hole, orifice, slot, slotor the like. This embodiment of the present invention consists of atwo-piece or multiple-piece holding device, button, anchor, or the like,comprised of a removable and/or interchangeable top/male part of theholding device, button, anchor, or the like that is affixed, snapped on,screwed on, placed, stuck, glued, hooked and looped, or joined to thenon-removable or removable bottom/female part of the holding device,button, anchor, or the like. This embodiment would allow the user todecorate the shoe fastening device by interchanging, switching, orplacing a decorative ornamental top/male part of the holding device ontothe bottom/female part of the holding device without having to removethe bottom/female part of the holding device, button, anchor, or thelike in order to do so.

This embodiment of the present invention can fasten an article offootwear in which a shoe fastening device is needed by fastening a firsthole, eyelet, hook, or loop on an article of footwear and a second hole,eyelet, hook, or loop on an article of footwear. The user can then usethe adjusting device to adjust the tightness of the shoe fasteningdevice by sliding the adjusting device up, down, left, or right towardsthe holding device to tighten the lace or sliding the adjusting devicetowards the knot to loosen the shoe fastening device, thus making theshoe fit truly customizable to the footwear user's unique style, size,and type of foot and shoe. This allows the user to create the perfectfitting shoe fastening device(s), thus offering the footwear user thepower to create his

or her own comfortable, convenient, secure, stylish, interchangeable,adjustable, and customizable perfect fit . . . all at the user'sfingertips.

Another embodiment of the present invention can also include a shoefastening device for fastening footwear comprised of an elongatedelastic cord in which either the cord's first or second end is insertedthrough the one-piece, two-piece, or multiple-piece holding device'sorifice, shank, hole, slit, slot, or the like, after the elastic cordhas been inserted and/or threaded into the holding device's orifice,shank, hole, slit, slot, or the like, the elastic cord's first andsecond ends are both threaded into the adjusting device's hole, orifice,slot, slit, or the like, in which the elastic cord is then affixedtogether by having the elastic cord's first and second ends adjoinedtogether through a knot, clamp, or the like, below the adjusting deviceand towards the elastic cord's first and second ends, thus forming ageneral loop on the elastic cord. This embodiment of the presentinvention can fasten an article of footwear in which a shoe fasteningdevice is needed by fastening a first hole, eyelet, hook, or loop on anarticle of footwear and a second hole, eyelet, hook, or loop on anarticle of footwear. The user can then move or slide the adjustingdevice which is comprised of a bead, clamp, stopper or the like, toadjust the tightness of the shoe fastening device by sliding theadjusting device up towards the holding device to tighten the lace orsliding the adjusting device towards the knot or adjoined ends to loosenthe shoe fastening device, thus creating a customizable and perfect shoefit for the footwear user's unique style, shoe, size, shape, and type offoot. This allows the user to create the perfect fitting shoe fasteningdevice(s), thus offering the footwear user the power to create his orher own comfortable, convenient, secure, stylish, interchangeable,adjustable, and customizable perfect fit . . . all at the user'sfingertips.

The shoe fastening device may be one such device of a set, package, apre-assembled kit, a do-it-yourself kit, or a shoe fastening system. Theshoe fastening device set, kit, or system can include one or more, twoor more, three or more, four or more, etc. number of shoe fasteningdevices. Optionally, the devices may be of the same configuration and/orsize, but some or all of the devices may be of different configurationsand sizes. For instance, optionally, the set of said fastening devicescan include fastening devices each with a same overall length ordifferent overall lengths.

Disclosed embodiments also include a fastening method comprising of: 1)providing a shoe fastening device for fastening an article of footwear,2) inserting the shoe fastening device into a pair of eyelets, holes,loops, hooks or openings of an article of footwear, 3) arranging saidshoe fastening device onto the article of footwear with or without theuse of a threading device such as string, tweezers, hook or the like,and 4) customizing the fit of the footwear by adjusting the shoefastening device through the use of the adjusting device.

Advantages

Accordingly, several advantages of one or more aspects are as follows:the present invention allows the user to customize the shoe fasteningdevices through the use of the adjusting device and thus create theperfect shoe fit. The adjusting device can be concealed behind the shoeflap, shoe tongue, behind the holding device, or simply displayed as afashion preference.

Also, the holding device does not only serve as a means for anchoringand or holding the shoe fastening device in place, but also serves as ameans for the user to show his or her creativity by allowing the user todecorate, draw, color, paint, place stickers,

beads, glue feathers, and the like to the holding device. Additionally,the one-piece and top/male part of the two-piece or multiple-pieceholding device is so easily removable and replaceable that users caneasily remove, exchange, interchange, replace, swap, and share theholding devices with friends and family. Moreover, the elastic cord isalso easily removable and interchangeable allowing the user to easilychange the color or pattern of the elastic cord to create endless colorcombinations.

Other advantages of one or more aspects of the present invention will beapparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will hereinafter be described in detail below with referenceto the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals representlike elements. The accompanying drawings have not necessarily been drawnto scale. Where applicable, some features may not be illustrated toassist in the description of underlying features.

In the drawings, closely related figures have the same number butdifferent alphabetic suffixes.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a shoe fastening device accordingto embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2A is a front view of the shoe fastening device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2B is a back view of the shoe fastening device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A is a left side view of the shoe fastening device shown in FIG.1.

FIG. 3B is a right side view of the shoe fastening device shown in FIG.1.

FIG. 4A is a front view of a shoe fastening device according toembodiments of the present invention, such as the shoe fastening deviceshown in FIGS. 1-3B, having been arranged to create first and secondloop ends.

FIG. 4B is a back view of the shoe fastening device of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4C is a front perspective view of a plurality of shoe fasteningdevices according to embodiments of the present invention arranged infootwear.

FIG. 4D is a front view of a threading device.

FIG. 5A is a front view of a shoe fastening device according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5B is a front view of the shoe fastening device of FIG. 5A as it ispartially disassembled.

FIG. 5C is a back view of the shoe fastening device of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6A is a front view of a shoe fastening device according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6B is a back view of the shoe fastening device of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6C is a front view of the shoe fastening device of FIG. 6Aaccording to embodiments of the present invention, such as the shoefastening device shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, having been arranged tocreate first and second loop ends.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The description set forth below in connection with the appended drawingsis intended as a description of various embodiments of the disclosedsubject matter and is not intended to represent the only embodiments inwhich the disclosed subject matter may be practiced. The descriptionincludes specific details for the purpose of providing a thoroughunderstanding of the disclosed subject matter. However, it will beapparent to those skilled in the art that the disclosed subject mattermay be practiced without these specific details.

One embodiment of the shoe fastening device is illustrated in FIGS. 1through 4B.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-4B, which show an embodiment of a shoefastening device 100 according to the present invention, the shoefastening device 100 can have an elongated one-piece elastic cord 110with first and second ends 112 and 114, that are affixed together by aknot 118, thus forming a loop 116 on the elastic cord 110 which is thenthreaded through the hole, orifice, slot, or slit of the adjustabledevice 124 and threaded through a hook, hole, orifice, loop, or shank122 belonging to the removable one-piece holding device 120.

Optionally, the shoe fastening device 100 can have an elongatedone-piece elastic cord 110 which does not have to be elastic or be“one-piece,” but can be made from multiple pieces and from any fabric,lace, cord, string, or the like, and can be made from either a flexible,non-flexible, elastic or non-elastic material, rubber, silicone, or anyother suitable material used by those skilled in the art. The elasticcord 110 can be round, flat, or of any shape, color, size, form,texture, and material. Furthermore, the elastic cord 110 can have itsfirst and second ends 112 and 114 affixed together by a knot 118, but itis not limited to being affixed by a knot, but can be glued together,sewn together, stitched together, clamped together, or bonded togetherthrough a melting procedure, or affixed by any other means used by thoseskilled in the art.

The one-piece holding device 120, can be a button, anchor, stopper, orany other similar device that has multiple or a single hook, hole,orifice, aperture, or shank 122. The one-piece holding device 120 can bemade of plastic, fabric, rubber, metal, wood or any other material usedby those skilled in the art. Moreover, the one-piece holding device 120can be of any size, color, shape, form, material, or texture. And theuser is able to decorate the one-piece holding device 120 by paintingit, putting glitter, placing stickers on it, writing on it, attaching adecorative piece to it, or decorating it with any art media. Theone-piece holding device 120 is easily removable so the user candecorate, save, remove, replace, change, switch, or exchange theone-piece holding device 120 with friends and family. The one-pieceholding device 120 is easily removable by simply sliding the removableone-piece holding device 120 out from the elastic cord 110. Theone-piece holding device 120 can then be stored or easily placed ontoanother shoe fastening device 100 by threading the elastic cord 110through the shank 122 of the one-piece holding device 120, with orwithout the use of a threading device 130 as shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 4A,4B, and 4D.

Referring to FIG. 4D, the threading device 130 can consist of, but notlimited to, a needle, pin, paperclip, bobby pin, or a thin “V” shapedplastic, rubber, wire, yarn, hook but not limited to such, and mayconsist of any material used by those skilled in the art. Also, thethreading device 130 can be of any shape, form, size, color, texture, ormaterial, but is not limited to such, and can be made out of anysuitable material used by those skilled in the art. The threading device130 which can be used to assist in threading the elastic cord 110 intothe shank 122 of the removable and replaceable one-piece holding device120 or through the hole, slot, slit, or orifice of the adjusting device124 or to assist the user to insert the shoe fastening device 100 thruthe shoe eyelets. Optionally, the threading device 130 may or may not beused by the user.

Also, the adjusting device 124 can consist of a plastic bead, slidingstopper, sliding clamp, or any other similar device that adjusts thetightness or looseness of the footwear worn and makes the shoe fasteningdevice 100 truly adjustable and customizable by allowing the user toslide the adjusting device 124 up and down, left and right the elasticcord 110. Optionally, the adjusting device 124 can be, but does not haveto, of a size that is big enough for the elastic cord's loop 116 to bethreaded within it with or without the use of the threading device 130,but small enough so that it can offer the grip and tightness needed sothat the user of the shoe fastening device 100 can adjust the tightnessof the shoe fastening device 100 to its perfect fit. Moreover, theadjusting device 124 can be made of any size, shape, form, color,texture or any other material used by those skilled in the art. Theadjusting device 124 can be of one piece or be comprised of multiplepieces such as a bead with inner rubber, silicone or other like materialthat may be used by those skilled in the art. Furthermore, as shown inFIG. 4B, a completely assembled ready to use shoe fastening device 100may have the adjusting device 124 and the knot 118 placed towards thecenter where the shank 122 is located, thus forming elastic loop ends126 and 128, which will be easily threaded into the hook, loop, holes,or eyelets of the article of footwear 150.

Additionally, a user may choose to thread the elastic cord 110 throughthe hole, orifice, slit, or slot of the adjusting device 124 by pinchingthe elastic cord 110 with his or her fingers and inserting the pinchedelastic cord 110 through the shank 122 of the one-piece holding device120 or the hole, hook, slit or slot of the adjusting device 124.Optionally, the user may use the threading device 130 that is includedin the sold set, kit, or package to assemble, remove, replace, or swapthe one-piece holding device 120 or to remove, replace, or interchangethe elastic cord 110 to create a different colored or decorated shoefastening device 100. The threading device 130 is not a requirement forthe use of the shoe fastening device 100 but may be used if the userdesires.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show the elastic cord 110 having been threaded into theone-piece holding device 120 through the shank 122 of the one-pieceholding device 120. The one-piece holding device 120 can be of anyshape, size, color, form, material, or texture. Moreover, the user isable to decorate the one-piece holding device 120 by painting it,putting glitter, placing stickers on it, or attaching a decorative pieceto it.

FIG. 4C is a front perspective view of a plurality of shoe fasteningdevices 100 arranged in footwear 150. The plurality of shoe fasteningdevices 100 may come as part of a set, kit, or package of shoe fasteningdevices 100.

The set, kit, or package may be sold in the form of completelyassembled, pre-assembled ready to use, partially pre-assembled, or ado-it-yourself set, kit, or package. Optionally, the set, kit, orpackage can include one or more, two or more, three or more, four ormore, etc. number of shoe fastening devices 100. Optionally, the devicesmay be of the same configuration and/or size or some or all of thedevices may be of different configurations and sizes. For instance,optionally, the set of said shoe fastening devices 100 can include shoefastening devices 100 each with different overall lengths.Alternatively, the set of said shoe fastening devices 100 can includeshoe fastening devices 100 each with a same overall length. As yetanother alternative, the set of said shoe fastening devices 100 caninclude at least two of said shoe fastening devices 100 having differentoverall lengths, but does not have to since the said shoe fasteningdevices 100 are adjustable and customizable to the user's footwear size,shape, and the user's preference through the use of the adjusting device124.

There is now provided a description of the installation, assembly, ormethod of use of the shoe fastening device 100 into an article offootwear 150 with reference to FIGS. 4A through 4D.

One method of using this embodiment consists of the user getting theshoe fastening devices 100 and an article of footwear 150 of the kindthat has a plurality of eyelets for the insertion of conventionalshoelaces. The shoe fastening device 100 is applied as

follows: the user takes the shoe fastening device 100 and inserts loop126 into an eyelet by threading loop 126 through the eyelet from underthe eyelet. Once loop 126 is inserted into and threaded through theeyelet, the user then takes loop 128 and passes it over the tongue ofthe footwear to the corresponding second eyelet of the pair, and insertsloop 128 through the corresponding eyelet from under the eyelet, asdescribed herein above for loop 126, thus stretching the main body ofthe shoe fastening device 100 where the removable one-piece holdingdevice 120, the knot 118, and the adjusting device 124 are located. Theuser then wraps loops 126 and 128 over and around the one-piece holdingdevice 120 by using the one-piece holding device 120 as a means tocouple loops 126 and 128 together. After the shoe fastening device 100is fastened, the user can adjust the one-piece holding devices 120placement on the shoe fastening device 100 and adjust the shoe fasteningdevice 100 tightness by sliding the adjusting device 124 towards theone-piece holding device 100 or the knot 118 until the user achieves acomfortable, secure, and perfect fit of his or her choosing. The usercan display the adjusting device and extra elastic cord 110, can cut theremaining extra elastic cord 110 but leave the adjusting device 124 inplace and tie another knot to keep the adjusting device 124 from fallingoff the elastic cord 110, or the user can simply conceal the adjustingdevice 124 and the elastic cords 110 first and second ends 112, 114behind the footwear's eyelet, holes, hooks, loops, or opening's flaps.The user can customize, arrange, display, decorate, and configure his orher shoe fastening devices 100 as he or she desire.

Alternatively, if the user prefers to not have the adjusting device 124on the shoe fastening device 100 the user can simply wrap loops 126 and128 over and around the one-piece holding device multiple times untilthe user achieves the comfort fit that he or she desires.

Furthermore, the user may or may not choose to use a threading device130 to insert loops 126 and 128 into their respective footwear eyelets,holes, loops, hooks, or openings. If the user chooses to use thethreading device 130, then the user simply places a loop 126 or 128 inbetween the threading device 130 while the user temporarily joins theends of the threading device 130 by pinching them together and havingthe ends facing upward while inserting the threading device 130threading loops 126 and 128 through and under the eyelets of the articleof footwear 150.

The threading device 130 is not a requirement for the use of the shoefastening device 100 but may be used if the user desires. However, ifthe user purchases a do-it-yourself set or kit, or simply wants to swap,exchange, or add an extra holding button, the user will likely need touse the threading device 130 to thread the elastic cord 110 through thehole, orifice, slot, slit, or opening of the adjusting device 124 andthrough the shank 122, hole, opening, orifice, aperture of the one-pieceholding device 120 prior to threading the shoe fastening device 100 intothe eyelets, holes, hooks, or loops of an article of footwear. If theuser does choose to use the threading device 130, he or she simply needsto position the elastic cord 110 in between the threading device 130 andtemporarily join the ends of the threading device 130 by pinching themtogether while threading the elastic cord 110 through the device thatthe user wants to place onto the elastic cord 110 or use the threadingdevice 130 the assist the user in threading the shoe fastening device100 through and under the eyelets.

Furthermore, the user of a do-it-yourself kit, may need to follow theseadditional steps prior to the installation method discussed above inassembly of the adjusting

device 124 and the knot 118 towards the center of the shank 122 of theone-piece holding device 120, and forming the loops 126 and 128 shown inFIGS. 4A and 4B. The user will then adjust the one-piece holding device120 to the position that he or she prefers within the elastic cord 110,preferably the center position, but is not limited to such position.After the adjusting device 124 and the knot 118 are properly positionedtowards the center of the one-piece holding device 120 or in anyposition of the user's liking, and the loops 126 and 128 are formed intoa bow like form, then the user is ready to assemble the shoe fasteningdevices 100 into an article of footwear 150. However, in a completelyassembled or pre-assembled set, kit, or package, the user may or may notbe required to complete the steps mentioned above. For example, in acompletely assembled set, kit, or package of the shoe fastening device100, the user will simply need to adjust the tightness or looseness ofthe elastic cord 110 by sliding the adjusting device 124 up towards theremovable one-piece holding device 120 to tighten the shoe fasteningdevice 100 or slide the adjusting device 124 away from the one-pieceholding device 120 towards the first and second ends 112, 114 of theelastic cord 110 to loosen the shoe fastening device 100 for a looserfeel.

FIGS. 5A-5C show various views of another embodiment of the presentinvention in which a shoe fastening device 200 comprises of a two-pieceholding device 240, instead of the one-piece holding device 120described in the first embodiment and shown in FIGS. 1-4C. The shoefastening device 200 can have an elongated one-piece elastic cord 210with first and second ends 212 and 214, that are affixed together by aknot 218, thus forming a loop 226 on the elastic cord 210 which is thenthreaded through the

hole, orifice, slot, or slit of the adjusting device 224 and threadedthrough a shank 222 belonging to the two-piece holding device 240.

The two-piece holding device 240 is comprised of a removable,replaceable, and interchangeable top/male part 244 that is, as shown bythe arrow in FIG. 5B, attached to a bottom/female part 242 by beingsnapped onto the bottom/female part 242, but may also be attachedthrough other means such as the top/male part 244 of the two-pieceholding device 242 being screwed on, clipped on, snapped on,hook-and-looped on, attached by the use of a magnet, glued on, or thelike, or any other means used by those skilled in the art, to thebottom/female part 242 of the two-piece holding device 240. Thetwo-piece holding device 240 can consist solely of a top/male part 244and a bottom/female part 242 or it may consist of multiple top/maleparts 244 and a single bottom/female part 242. The bottom/female part242 has a hole, hook, loop, orifice, or shank 222 attached to it inwhich the elastic cord 210 is inserted and threaded through. Thetwo-piece holding device 240, can be a button, anchor, or any othersimilar device that has multiple or a single hook, hole, orifice,aperture, or shank 246. The two-piece holding device 240 can be made ofplastic, fabric, rubber, metal, wood or any other material used by thoseskilled in the art. Moreover, the two-piece holding device 240 can be ofany size, color, shape, form, material, or texture. And the user is ableto decorate the two-piece holding device 240 by painting it, puttingglitter, placing stickers on it, writing on it, attaching a decorativepiece to it, or decorating it with any art media.

One method of using this embodiment consists of the user getting theshoe fastening devices 200 and an article of footwear of the kind thathas a plurality of eyelets for the insertion of conventional shoelaces.The shoe fastening device 200 is applied as

follows: the user takes the shoe fastening device 200 and inserts loop226 into an eyelet by threading loop 226 through the eyelet from underthe eyelet. Once loop 226 is inserted into and threaded through theeyelet, the user then takes loop 228 and passes it over the tongue ofthe footwear to the corresponding second eyelet of the pair, and insertsloop 228 through the corresponding eyelet from under the eyelet, asdescribed herein above for loop 226, thus stretching the main body ofthe shoe fastening device 200 where the removable two-piece holdingdevice 240, the knot 218, and the adjusting device 224 are located. Theuser then wraps loops 226 and 228 over and around the two-part holdingdevice 240 by using the two-piece holding device 240 as a means tocouple loops 226 and 228 together. After the shoe fastening device 200is fastened, the user can adjust the placement of the two-piece holdingdevice 240 placement on the shoe fastening device 200 and adjust thetightness of the shoe fastening device 200 by sliding the adjustingdevice 224 towards the two-part holding device 200 or the knot 218 untilthe user achieves a comfortable, secure, and perfect fit of his or herchoosing. The user can display the adjusting device 224 and extraelastic cord 210, can cut the remaining extra elastic cord 210 but leavethe adjusting device 224 in place and tie another knot to keep theadjusting device 224 from falling off the elastic cord 210, or the usercan simply conceal the adjusting device 224 and the elastic cord's 210first and second ends 212, 214 behind the footwear's eyelet, holes,hooks, loops, or opening's flaps. The user can customize, arrange,display, decorate, and configure his or her shoe fastening devices 200as he or she desires.

The user can decorate, remove, replace, swap, and/or interchange thetop/male part 244 of the two-piece holding device 240 by snapping,unscrewing, pulling off, unclipping, peeling, or by similar means, takethe top/male part 244 off from the bottom/female part 242 of thetwo-piece holding device 200. The user can then decorate or swap theremovable and replaceable top/male part 244 with another top/male part244 of a different shape, form, size, design, pattern, or decoration.

Alternatively, the user may remove, replace, decorate, or interchangethe top/male part 244 prior to installing the shoe fastening devices 200onto an article of footwear or, optionally, decorate, remove, replace,or interchange the top/male part 244 after the shoe fastening device 200has been installed onto an article of footwear.

The shoe fastening device 200 may come as part of a set, kit, or packageof multiple shoe fastening devices 200. The set, kit, or package may bein a form of pre-assembled ready to use, partially pre-assembled, or ado-it-yourself kit. The shoe fastening device set, kit, or system caninclude one or more, two or more, three or more, four or more, etc.number of shoe fastening devices 200. Optionally, the devices may be ofthe same configuration and/or size, but some or all of the devices maybe of different configurations and sizes. For instance, optionally, theset of said fastening devices can include fastening devices each with asame overall length and be adjusted by the footwear user through the useof the adjusting device 224.

FIGS. 6A-6C show a shoe fastening device 300 according to yet anotherembodiment of the present invention. Shoe fastening device 300 can havean elongated one-piece

elastic cord 310 with first and second ends 312 and 314, a holdingdevice 320 attached to the elastic cord 310 by the hole, orifice, hook,loop or shank 322 of the holding device 320, a clamp, closure, or knot318 of the first and second cord ends 312, 314, and an adjusting device324. Optionally, the shoe fastening device 300 can have an elongatedone-piece elastic cord 310 which does not have to be elastic or be“one-piece,” but can be made from multiple pieces and from any flexibleor elastic material, rubber, silicone, or any other suitable materialused by those skilled in the art. The elastic cord 310 can be of anycolor(s), size, shape, form, texture, and material. Furthermore, theelastic cord 310 can have its first and second ends 312 and 314 affixedtogether by a knot 318, but it is not limited to being affixed by aknot, but can be glued together, sewn together, stitched together,clamped together with a clamp, or bonded together through a meltingprocedure or by any other means used by those skilled in the art. Theholding device 320, can be a one-piece, two-piece or multiple-piecebutton, anchor, or any other similar device that has multiple or asingle hook, hole, orifice, aperture, or shank 322. The holding device320 can be made of plastic, fabric, rubber, metal, wood or any othermaterial used by those skilled in the art. Moreover, the holding device320 can be of any size, color, shape, form, material, or texture. Andthe user is able to decorate the holding device 320 by painting it,putting glitter, placing stickers on it, writing on it, attaching adecorative piece to it, or decorating it with any art media. The holdingdevice 320 is non-removable so the user would not be able to remove,replace, change, switch, or exchange the holding device 320 with friendsand family unless the holding device 320 consists of a two-piece holdingdevice in which the bottom/female part would stay affixed to the elasticcord while the top/male part would be removable and beable to be removed, replaced, changed, switched, swapped, or exchangedwith family and friends or if the user chooses to remove the holdingdevice 320 by cutting the lace they would simply re-adjoin the elasticcords 300 to its original form.

The adjusting device 324 can consist of a bead, sliding stopper, slidingclamp, or any other similar device that adjusts the tightness orlooseness of the footwear worn and customized by the user by sliding theadjusting device 324 up or down, left or right of the elastic cord 310.

In this alternate embodiment, the holding device 320 is placed on theelastic cord 310 by having the elastic cord 310 first threaded inthrough the shank 322 by either the first end 312 or the second end 314.After the placement of the holding device 320 on the elastic cord 310,the first and second ends 312, 314 of the elastic cord 310 are coupledtogether and threaded through the hole, hook, loop, orifice, of theadjusting device 324 and then the first and second ends 312, 314 areaffixed by knot 318; thus, creating a loop as shown in FIGS. 6A-6C.

One method of use according to this embodiment consists of the usergetting the shoe fastening device 300 and placing the holding device 320towards the middle of the looped elastic cord 310 and creating loop ends326, 328. At this point, the adjusting device 324 can be moved up, down,left, or right to adjust the shoe fastening device 300. The adjustingdevice 324 on the shoe fastening device 300 offers the user the abilityto adjust the grip and tightness of the shoe fastening device 300 andhelps the user find the perfect fit. Moreover, the adjusting device 324can be made of any size, shape, form, color, texture or material used bythose skilled in the art. Also, the adjusting device 324 can be made ofa single, multiple, or joined parts, such

as, but not limited to, a device with a silicone type material attachedto the inner opening, hole, orifice, slit, or slot of the device.

The user then applies the shoe fastening device 300 as follows: the usertakes the shoe fastening device 300 and inserts loop 326 into an eyeletby threading loop 326 through the eyelet from under the eyelet. Onceloop 326 is inserted into and threaded through the eyelet, the user thentakes loop 328 and passes it over the tongue of the footwear to thecorresponding second eyelet of the pair, and inserts loop 328 throughthe corresponding eyelet from under the eyelet, as described hereinabove for loop 326, thus stretching the main body of the shoe fasteningdevice 300 where the removable holding device 320, the knot 318, and theadjusting device 324 are located. The user then wraps loops 326 and 328over and around the holding device 320 by using the holding device 320as a means to couple loops 326 and 328 together. After the shoefastening device 300 is fastened, the user can adjust the holding device320 on the shoe fastening device 300 and adjust the tightness of theshoe fastening device 300 by sliding the adjusting device 324 towardsthe holding device 300 or the knot 318 until the user achieves acomfortable, secure, and perfect fit of his or her choosing. The usercan display the adjusting device 324 and extra elastic cord 310, can cutthe remaining extra elastic cord 310 but leave the adjusting device 324in place and tie another knot to keep the adjusting device 324 fromfalling off the elastic cord 310, or the user can simply conceal theadjusting device 324 and the elastic cords 310 first and second ends312, 314 behind the footwear's eyelet, holes, hooks, loops, or opening'sflaps. The user can customize,

arrange, display, decorate, and configure his or her shoe fasteningdevices 300 as he or she desire.

Alternatively, if the user prefers to not have the adjusting device 324on the shoe fastening device 300 the user can simply wrap loops 326 and328 over and around the one-piece holding device multiple times untilthe user achieves the comfort fit that he or she desires.

Furthermore, the user may or may not choose to use a threading device130 to insert loops 326 and 328 into their respective footwear eyelets,holes, loops, hooks, or openings. If the user chooses to use thethreading device 130, then the user simply places a loop 326 or 328 inbetween the threading device 130 while the user temporarily joins theends of the threading device 130 by pinching them together and havingthe ends facing upward while inserting the threading device 130threading loops 326 and 328 under and through the eyelets of the articleof footwear 150.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with a number ofembodiments, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, andvariations would be or are apparent to those of ordinary skill in theapplicable arts. Accordingly, Applicant intends to embrace all suchalternatives, modifications, equivalents, and variations that are withinthe spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A shoe fastening device to be used in an articleof footwear designed for lacing comprising: an elongated elastic body; aholding device; and an adjusting device.
 2. The shoe fastening deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the shoe fastening device is for use as afastener for footwear.
 3. The shoe fastening device according to claim1, wherein the elongated elastic body comprised of a flexible andelastic cord or string.
 4. The shoe fastening device according to claim1, wherein the elongated elastic body forms a loop by affixing the firstand second ends together.
 5. The shoe fastening device according toclaim 1, wherein the elongated elastic body forms a loop through themeans of knotting, tying, sewing, bonding, or melting the first andsecond ends together.
 6. The shoe fastening device according to claim 1,wherein the elongated elastic body is easily removable, replaceable, andinterchangeable.
 7. The shoe fastening device according to claim 1,wherein the holding device comprises of: a one-piece, two-piece, ormultiple-piece, removable or non-removable, decorative or non-decorativedevice, with an opening for insertion of the elastic body.
 8. The shoefastening device according to claim 1, wherein the holding device ismade of plastic, rubber, wood, metal, or any other material.
 9. The shoefastening device according to claim 1, wherein the opening of saidholding device is a shank, hole, loop, hook, slit, or slot.
 10. The shoefastening device according to claim 1, wherein said holding device canbe one-piece, two-piece, or multiple-piece device.
 11. The shoefastening device according to claim 1, wherein the said holding devicecan be removable or non-removable.
 12. The shoe fastening device ofclaim 1, wherein said holding device is one-piece includes a wholeportion that can be of any shape, color, size, texture and material. 13.The shoe fastening device of claim 1, wherein said holding device isone-piece can be removable, non-removable, replaceable, ornon-replaceable.
 14. The shoe fastening device of claim 1, wherein saidholding device is a two-piece or multiple-piece device is composed of aremovable, exchangeable, and replaceable top/male part that is attachedto the removable or non-removable bottom/female part of the two-piece ormultiple-piece device.
 15. The shoe fastening device of claim 1, whereinsaid holding device can be decorated and personalized through the meansof paint, stickers, glitter, letters, crayons, markers, and the like.16. The shoe fastening device according to claim 1, wherein theadjusting device comprises of a bead, clamp, stopper, or similar deviceto assist in adjusting the length, size, and fit of the shoe fasteningdevice on an article of footwear.
 17. The shoe fastening deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the adjusting device slides up\ and downand/or left and right on the elastic cord to adjust and customize theperfect fit.
 18. The shoe fastening device according to claim 1, whereinthe adjusting device can be comprised of a single one-piece part,two-piece, or multiple pieces such as a bead with inner rubber, siliconeor other similar material.
 19. A shoe fastening method comprising: a.Providing a shoe fastening device for fastening an article of footwear,b. Inserting the shoe fastening device into a pair of eyelets, holes,loops, hooks or openings of an article of footwear, c. Arranging saidshoe fastening device onto the article of footwear, and d. Customizingthe fit of the footwear by adjusting the shoe fastening device throughthe use of the adjusting device.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein theitem is one of footwear that is designed for lacing.
 21. A set, kit, orpackage comprising a plurality of shoe fastening devices, includingcomprising: a. an elongated elastic body, b. a holding device, c. anadjusting device.
 22. The set, kit, or package of claim 21, wherein aplurality of shoe fastening devices are provided, can also include athreading device.